Get Smart or Die!

If you remember the TV Show Get Smart, dream about that instead of the mayhem that ensues on the river...primarily weekends here on the Mo!

Today is absolutely crazy out there with lots of splash and giggle parties wafting down the river. There are also a ton of rising fish to be had. Get out here and take your share.


Picture of a Mink that Joe and Paul Taylor today while tossing dry flies at rising trout. They are all over the place, the fish that is, while Paul and Joe are predominantly spot on with their casts.

Word on the street is they will eat any fly on the first pass, remember folks, it is the Indian, not the Arrow. Live it, Learn it, test on Monday.
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Another super non-fishy behavior is straight lining fish followed by NO DRIFT. Lots of folks can cast the fly to it's destination, but that is just a small portion of the game. Drifting it into the awaiting fishy's mouth is the goal.

THROW A REACH CAST
FOR GOD"S SAKE

It is damn important, well, only if you intend to catch fish. Your choice. I see lots of fella's anchored way off the fish, standing up, and making shitty drift after shitty drift. Indian/Arrow analogy. And then change the fly, as if it is the fly, and it may be...by my strong suggestion is you learn to drift properly before changing the fly.

Sit down, sneak onto the fish, make a great reach, drift, and hook the fish. Next.

Just a suggestion my friend's. Now I can move on to my next beef for the week. Thanks for listening, although most of the folks that I explaining this too look at me like I'm an ALIEN w/SHIT on my CHEEK...I'm used to it...and as my mother always told me...you cannot fix stupid.

Please Respect other people water. If you see anybody on anchor casting a rod, give them a lot of space, they are most likely casting at rising fish. And you folks who like your own space, don't row over others and expect them not to do the same. Keep your eyes open...bumping into others is like crashing into a parked car on the side of the road...think about it.

Boat ramp behavior should be the same. Get in and get out. You do not have to rig your rods with the boat and trailer and truck and raft and coolers strewn around the ramp. Do that shit before you put the boat in, like in the parking lot. Prep is good brother.

Capt. Carp Dead Song of the Day: Anything live from '72

Things not to do at the Boat Ramp: Washing your boat, rigging your rods, practice backing up your truck, blowing up your raft, stocking your cooler, unless it is a YETI...just be cognizant of others and we can all have success.

Cast of the Millennium: Reach Cast..Just Do It

Treat our fish nicely...they cannot be out of the water for 2 1/2 minutes. Try shoving your head under water for that length of time...Mentioned to a bank fisherman the other day..."Hey fella, put the fish back in the water, it's been 49 seconds"...and he yelled back, "It's not my first time to the Missouri." My reply, " Well, you are sure acting like it is."

We all love fish pictures...rest the fish in the net, they have lactic acid build-up in the bodies just like we do after a long jog...rest them and then take the quick photo, rest again in the net and then when the fish is ready...he will swim out on his own power.

Headhunters E-Newsletter

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New Breed Chicks Rule!

Can your G-Friend do this?

A distant reminder that those of you who read this blog need to date gals that can make this a reality.

If not...it's cool.

Mount Vernon gang Lisser/Fischer and Stephanie Lisser created an ultimate Mo River Experience...and this is the outcome...

Congrats Steph...your 1st Brown Trout...Outstanding!

Fly Poling on the Missouri is as good as it gets...chew on that for a while...when you come to after swirling around in dream world... book your trip now to one of the best fisheries in the lower 48.

Steph was using her PINK ROD by Sage and her PINK REEL by Ross...and this is the end result...listening to her guide was a terrific idea too...always listen to your guide...he is your team captain...yes, it's true...

Capt. Carp: is watching the day go by...a newer calmer Mikey!

Crazy Shit on the River: Lots of fella's doing weird shit...look up and smell the coffee, wake up fella's and open your eyes...there are other people fishing the river...would you like it if I came in on you like you came in on me? Think about it brother...

Big River and the fish are eating like bandit's...as Nicholson would do a movie...as good as it get's...

New Breed Chicks Rule!

Living the Dream...

...never falls out of style.

Content faces on your right. Stellar...that should tell you something about the current fishing status.

If I may spill diarrhea from my mouth...I would like to state that I would not rather do anything in life than what I'm doing right now.

LTD never falls out of style.

The enablers that made this possible not only the the last two weeks but the last several years are Jim Arkin, Ed Kruse...could fish with them 100 days a year and not get tired of them...that is the ultimate guide compliment.

Rex Watson and Chase, always included is Mike Ruppert...setting records with them is what they are after, and I will always comply and advocate that behavior.

Mike, Nate, and Justin KICK-ASS. Fun times friends...part of the New Breed. You know I am encouraged by the New Breed. They are educated, willing to learn, not afraid of a Budweiser or Clown Oil.

Lisser/Fisher...New Breed mixed with Old School. Nice blend. Pleasant, big, extended family. Super cool and fun.

Coming up Joe and Paul Taylor. My longest term clients. Again, could fish with these fella's til I'm blue in the face...but commonly they become blue first...

This is the short list of my favorites...for this time period...which is damn fun!! Non-Local Locals are here in force.

Thanks to all who have showed their support for SOL and Scumliner, J the B, B & E, The BOSS, and the FNG...thanks, we appreciate it greatly.

You should come out right now, a little pressure, scratch and claw my friends...there are parts of the river that are not as crowded as others. Seek and you shall find...disciples.

Capt. Carp likes Willie Nelson

Strange Jumping Fish: 2 in the boat today, yes two fish jumped in the boat today.

Goofy Rec Floater of the Yesterday: Had a raft crash into me yesterday. I was on anchor and had a very large raft come in contact with me. They said they could not see me, even with 1/2 mile of blue sky viz above me. After bouncing off anchor, I politely asked, yes politely... asked if they ever crashed into parked cars on the side of the road. And I'm the asshole. Used to it. Standard.

Fly of Last Week: Hogan's Wing Man

Fly of This Week: Translucent Pupa...wetted then Fanny'd

Fly of Next Week: Rusty Spinner sz 14 or LaFontaine's Buzzball sz 14 or Old School Pat Elam's Spent Caddis sz 16

All information stat'd within this Blog came from Chapters 2, 3, 5, & 7 of the the Official Guide Handbook of the World Famous Missouri River.

Chapter one includes the most valuable guide tip ever...scribble your clients name on your hand in indelible ink with an arrow of your guest inthe bow pointed toward the top of your hand, and the gentleman in back's name with an arrow directed to the bottom of your hand. This chapter written by Steve Butt, who was the original owner of this here fly shop, Parrothead Fly Shop, that SOL and Scumliner occupy, and who signed my guide license the first couple go-rounds.

Frightening!

As for the Guide Handbook...no, you cannot have one. To qualify for this rare, dog eared, original copy, you must first be willing to admit and show proof of the following...at least one old priceless non-bamboo fly rod, that's easy....a nicotine habit of some sort...an affinity for losing g-friends...more interest in boat design than interest in accruing monetary assets...that your family still does not believe what you do for a living is a job, true...more sun protection garments than shoes, not easy for you gals to admit...shoes for varying outfits, reels for varying rods...your boat bag must be worth more than your Suburban and boat combined...when saying you vacationed in some sort of tropical paradise, you don't mean 11 days, you mean 5 1/2 months...when asked why you came back you state "I was out of money..." you recognize the leader you tied on your clients rod 4 years ago...you stopped lying about your river knowledge after 2 years...

...you do not want to pursue anything but the pursuit of happiness and Living the Dream...

4th of July Recap

Craig was as happening as we expected over the fourth. Great food all over town, live music, casting competitions and a great fireworks show.

Many people have thanked us for the fantastic fireworks display. While Headhunters paid for the fireworks, all thanks should go to guides Ben Hardy and Luke Andrews...these brilliant renaissance men put on a fantastic show.

Ben Hardy rigging the show.

Both pro's and amateurs competed in the ECHO Gecko casting competition. Bob Keith (Great Falls) beat Andy Zachary (Rathdrum, Id) in the amateur division. Bob also beat most of the pros. Congratulations Bob!

Bob Keith throwing the winning cast in the amateur division.

In the pro division, the lead was held by Mark Raisler, John Arnold, Mike Kuhnert and Jason Newmack. Jason seemed to have it in the bag, fending off several competitiors, until late entry Dan Troupe came in and took the Gecko.

Jason Newmack talking smack in the pro division.

Badmitton, whiffleball and adult wrestling kept our guests entertained all day long. The BBQ at Headhunters was simple but satisfying. Thanks to everyone who donated funds to the Craig Volunteer Fire Dept. What a time. Can't wait until next year!

Madeline shows Ridge how it's done.

Headhunters BBQ.

Lots of Patriotic kids were present at the celebration.

I don't know, maybe next year we should have a parade??

It's on Fire!

Best fishing in some time here on the Missouri. We are healing from yesterday's festivities. Fun was had by all.

Ben and Luke with the help of Andrew and Luke's father put on one hell of a fireworks display. Awesome.

I will recap in the next couple days with photos and drivel.

On the right is Ed Kruse with one of many nice Browns last week on a dry. Nice Ed!

Thanks to all who attended yesterday and participated in our town's activities. Plan on being here next year for fun and fishing on America's BDay!

The Mother of all YETI's

Headhunters has just received another shipment of YETI Coolers...25,35,45 and 65QT models - and now the mother of all YETI's, the 250QT! Who would buy this thing? you must be asking yourself. Well that's why we ordered it. We want to know which one of our customers is crazy enough to shell out $750 (that right!) for a cooler big enough to use as a winter shelter. We know you're out there, we just want to know who you are.

Free hot chick with the purchase of any 250QT YETI
(subject to availability of hot chicks)

Seriously, if you are in the market for the best cooler made, get into Headhunters ASAP. YETI's fly out of here quick when we get a shipment. By the way...it's 90 degrees and this weekend is the fourth of July. Sounds like a good weekend to buy a new cooler. If it's a YETI, your kids will be using it on future 4th's.

Stop by Headhunters this weekend to see the 250 and enjoy all the happenings in Craig for our Nation's Holiday. Fireworks, Food, Live Music, Fun and of course FISHING!